Hey, I'm a long ATVer, although new to the forum, I've been riding for nearly 10 years. This is my 3rd Sportsman, past ones: 97SP500, 04SP700, now I've got an 08SP500HO. My problem is, it hates the deep water. I've drowned it once already because of this. I was in water, fairly deep, not over the intakes though and it quit, and wouldn't start, of course the exhaust and ultimately the head filled with water.
So after changing the oil and doing everything involved with that, I siliconed all the connections of from the coil to cap and lithium greased the plug. I should have used dielectric grease, I'm going for that tomorrow, perhaps that will fix the problem, we'll see.
The other unusual problem is, when I get it up on steep grades, such as getting out of a creek bed, it starts to sputter again, it doesn't like high angles, I'm just curious if water in your carb could do this. I haven't drained the carb, maybe I should.
I guess i'm just looking for suggestions.
Thanks
Happy Trails

 

How many miles on your 08 500 carb ?

 

About 1200 or so

 

angle issue makes me think maybe the float isn't set correctly?

 

I would think if it was water in the fuel tank that it would take a very long steep uphill pull to get the fuel used that is initially in the carb and the water that is in the tank to get to the carb.

 

Put the bike outside and wait for below zero temps then you will most likely find your problem if its fuel or water related

 

those things can usually handle the water. is your airbox lid and clamps and hoses good and tight. drain hose and plug on.

 

Well haven't looked for the problem yet, but tomorrow I'm going to strip the bike of plastics and go over every hose and electrical connection, have dielectric grease in hand. I will definately be checking the intake cannister and hoses, I did noticed I had a cracked hose from the box to the carb last time I checked it over, but I silconed the crack, it wasn't all the way through but was basically a surface crack, I might just go buy a new hose as well. Nothing like having your bike quit in the water, the thought of the water coming into your engine while you are sitting there really sucks. I also should mention on the last trip it quit in deep water, but it did start up again, but ran like crap, stumbling, and missing, smelling like it was running rich.

 

I don't want to discuss this to death, but I think I may have found the problem. After stripping the bike of plastic, I found the drain tube missing off the carb, I know that drain tubes typically have a stopper at the end, so I'm wondering if this could cause the problem. Any thoughts?

 

Absolutely the water would go right into the carb and straight through into your motor. I would suggest to either seal it off or get a new piece of hose and a plug for it. Aiming towards that more because you may need to drain the carb someday.